Soap-dispensing apparatus



Nov. 23,1926. 1,607,777

T. J. NEWBOLD SOAP DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 23 1926.

Th J. N EWBOLD SOAP DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed March 17. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES j 1,602,??? rarest c erics.

THOMAS JEFFERSON NEWBOLD, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, 'ASSIGNOR TO U. S.

SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- GHUSETTS.

SOAP-DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 17, 1921. Serial No. 452,508.

This invention relates to apparatus for supplying or dispensing liquid soap, soap solutions or similar liquids hereinafter, for convenience, referred to soap, and it is concerned especially with the requirements of an apparatus of this character for use in public toilets, wash-rooms, and the like.

It is the chief object of the present invention to devise an apparatus of this character which shall be economical to manufacture, can be conveniently installed will not be liable to get out of order. and in which ordinary toilet soaps can be successfully used. The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring 110w to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view, partly in front elevaand partly in cross section, showing an apparatus embodying the invention in the form at present preferred;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a dispensing valve forming part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3--3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4;, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 5-5. Fig. 3. this view being on a smaller scale than Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in cross section. showing on an enlarged scalethe soap container and adjacent parts of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the valve plug taken substantially on the line 77. Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view through the valve plug, the plane of the sec- 45 tion being substantially parallel to the axis of the plug;

' Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view on the 99, Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the lower 50 part of the container showing the indicator for the different positions of the valve.

In the construction shown the supply of soap is held in a container 2. the detailed construction of which is best shown in Fig.

line

6. This container is of the same construction, with very minor modifications, as that shown and described in application Serial No. 447,492, filed February 24, 1921 (assigned. to the assignee of the present invention) and it comprises a cylindrical shell .3 threaded at its opposite ends to receive a base 4: and a cap 5. The base forms a housing for a valve plug 6 which controls an inlet port 7 and an outlet port 8 leading, re spectively. to and from the interior'ot the container. The inlet port 7 leads to a tube 9 which is threaded into the base at and it has an inclined discharge opening 10 formed in one side thereof near its upper end. A. screw 11 threaded into the ends of the tube 9 closes more or less of the opening 10 and is adjustable to vary the rate of flow through the pipe.

The soap may be either in the form of a liquid ora solid. Usually, however, it is preferable from the standpoint of economy to use ordinary toilet soap which is broken. up, the moors being placed in a wire basket 12. This basket fits loosely in the container and has a bail or handle at its upper end. A wire strainer 14 is placed in the lower end of the container where it is held by a washer 15 and a nut 16 threaded on the tube 9. and this strainer. prevents the solid particles of soap from finding their way directly into the outlet 8. The basket 12 may be removed from the container by unscrewing the cap 5 which tor this purpose is provided with holes 1818 to receive a spanner wrench.

The soap container 2 is connected through a check valve 19 and a pipe 20 with a water pipe 21. Usuall this connection is made at a point below the wash-stand W where the container will be out of the way and still be readily accessible for re-filling. The connection usually is made to the cold water pipe so that the pressure of the supply system may be utilized. In order to steady the container a splitclamp 22 may be used to connect it with the water pipe 21 or any adjacent support, the portions of the clamp being tightened on the parts that they em brace by a bolt provided with a thumb nut 23.

The valve plug 6 has a passage 25 formed therethrough to control the flow of water from the pipe 21 into the container, and another passage or'port 26 which, as shown in Fig. 9, is operative to establish communication between the outlet port 8 and either a drain port 27 or a discharge port 28. This valve plug is tapered and s pro vided with a square stem 30 to receive a suitable wrench or key 31, Fig. l, by means of which it may be turned, and it is held in its seat by a spring 32, Fig. 8, in the usual manner.

The normal position of the valve 6 is that illustrated in Figs, 6 and 9 in which it admits water from the pipe 21 to the tube 9 and permits the discharge of soap from the bottom of the container to the outlet port 28. Communicating with this port is a discharge or delivery pipe 33 which leads to a a dispensing valve 34, preferably located beside one of the faucets 35 of the wash-stand. \Vhile various constructions of valves can be used at this point, I prefer to use a valve of the measuring type, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. This valve comprises a body 36 having a passage 37 formed therethrough and communicating with the delivery end of the discharge pipe 33, as shown in Fig. At its forward end this body or casing is enlarged to receive an oscillating valve barrel or cylinder 38 having an inlet port 39 to register, in a certain position, with the duct 37, and an outlet port e0 to register in a dilferent position with a discharge passage ll formed in a nozzle l2 that is directed downwardly from the forward end of the valve body. The valve cylinder 38 has projections l3-l3 extending centrally from opposite ends thereof, and these projections are encircled by torsion springs l i-14: each of which has one end anchored in one of the projections l3 and its opposite end so cured in the casing 36. These springs tend to hold the valve in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with the inlet port 39 in communication with the passage 37. A handle or thumb piece is riveted to a U-shaped member 46 which straddles the valve body and has circular disks or side pieces that cover the opposite ends of the valve cylinder and the adjacent parts of the casing, these disk-like members being secured to the barrel by screws 47%". The projections ilk-l3 are partially cut away to receive these portions of the member 46 and form a key-like connection therewith which compels the cylinder to rotate with the part 46 and thumb piece 1-5. A portion of the part a6 is struck inwardly, as indicated at 49, to cooperate with a shoulder 50, Fig. 2, in limiting the rotative movement of the cylinder produced by the Springs 4H4.

It will now be clear that when the valve 6 is in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9 the container will be filled with water which will dissolve the soap therein and that the valve 38 will be approximately filled with soap solution which will be forced into it by the pressure in the water pipe 21. If, new, the thumb piece -15 is depressed it will rotate the valve 38, mov :g the port 39 out of communication with the passage 37 and bringing the port 40 into register with the passage all in the valve nozzle 41:2. The pressure in the barrel will immediately force practically all of the soap in the valve out through the discharge nozzle. Consequently, this operation results in the discharge of an approximately predetermined quantity of soap. its soon as the finger piece l5 is released the springs stt lat will return the valve again to its original position where it will receive another charge of soap solution. I

VThen the supply of soap in the container 2 has been exhausted, the valve 6 is turned to the position to shut off the communication between this container and the water pipe 21 and the discharge pipe 33. This opens the drain passage thus allowing the liquid remaining in the container to drain out. The cap 5 is then unscrewed and the wire basket 12 is removed and filled with a new supply of soap and is again replaced. lifter the cap has been screwed into the container the valve 6 adjusted to its original position. The indications S, D, and Gil on the valve casing, as shown in Fig. 10, indicate the various operative positions of the valve 6, the S position designating soap, D drain, and Oil? the position in which the apparatus is completely out off from communication with the pipe 21. The check valve 19 is employed to prevent any back flow of soap into the pipe 21 in the event of an abnormal reduction of: pressure in this pipe.

It will readily be appreciated that a series of dispensing valves can be connected with the soap container 2 in the same manner that the valve 31 is connected therewith, any suitable form of multiple connector or header being secured to the lower part of the container in communication with the discharge port 28. Fig. 1 shows an ordinary T connection 52 communicating with a discharge pipe 53 similar to the pipe 33, but it is obvious that a greater number of these connections can be used, if desired, all of these connections and their dispensing valves being supplied from the one container.

For convenience in connecting this apparatus to existing installations the dispensing valve 34 is provided with a special base, as best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. That is, this valve is secured by screws E l -5 L, Fig. 2, to a-base 55 which is provided with a lateral offset that is apertured, as indicated at 56, to receive the usual faucet with which wash-stands are equipped. Consequently,

is installing the valve it is merely necessary to shut off the water, uncouple the faucet, place the base 55 under it, and then couple it up again, as shown in Fig. 1. This secures the dispensing valve firmly in its proper position on the wash-stand and avoids any necessity for making additional holes in the stand. The base is provided with a groove or slot 5'7, as indicated. in Figs. 3 and 5, to receive the discharge pipe 33.

This invention provides a soap dispensing apparatus of very simple construction which can be conveniently installed, is not liable to be plugged by soap, and is convenient to use. This apparatus has the further advantage that a single soap container can be used to supply a number of adjacently located wash-stands. The fact that ordinary toilet soap can be used in it also is an important practical advantage since this soap is more economical to use than the kinds more commonly handled in soap dispensing apparatus, and it does not have the objections that certain of the other forms of soap have. Nevertheless, liquid and powdered soaps can be used in this apparatus if desired.

While I have herein shown and described the best embodiment of the invention of which I am at present aware, it will readily. be appreciated that this embodiment may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Nhat is claimed as new is:

1. A soap dispensing apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a soap container, connections for conducting water under pressure to the interior of said container to mix with and dissolve the soap therein and to force the soap solution out of the container, a dispensing valve, a discharge pipe for conducting soap solution from said container to said valve, and another valve controlling both the flow of water to said container and also the discharge of soap solution therefrom.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a wash-stand equipped with a faucet and a water supply pipe connected with said faucet, of a soap container located below said stand, connections for conducting water from said pipe into said container, a soap dispensing valve mounted on said stand, a pipe for conducting soap from said container to said valve, whereby the pressure of said water is utilized to force soap to said valve, and a manually operable valve controlling both the flow of water into said container and the discharge of soap from the container.

In a soap dispensing apparatus, the combination of a valve body, a hollow ported valve cylinder mounted to turn in said body, said body havingsupply and discharge ports to admit a charge of soap to said cylinder and to discharge it therefrom, a spring operative to hold said cylinder normally in position to receive a charge. a U- shaped member having side pieces secured to and covering the opposite ends of said cylinder, said side pieces overlapping the parts of said body adjacent to the opposite ends of said cylinder and a thumb piece projecting from said member at the front of the valve. I

4. In a soap dispensing apparatus, the combination of a valve body, a hollow ported valve cylinder mounted to turn in said body, said body having supply and discharge ports to admit a charge of soap to said cylinder and to discharge it therefrom, a U-shaped member having side pieces covering the opposite ends of said cylinder, and secured thereto, a thumb piece projecting from said member at the front of the valve. and torsion springs at the opposite ends of said cylinder operative to hold the cylinder normally in position to receive a charge, said springs being covered by, said side pieces.

A. soap dispensing apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a substantially upright soap container having a drain in the lower end thereof, connections for conducting; water under pressure into said container whereby a soap solution is formed in said container and the water pressure tends to force said solution out of the container, a measuring valve, a discharge pipe for conducting said solution fromsaid container to said valve, and a second valve controlling both the flow of water to said container, and the flow of said solution to said measuring valve, said second valve also controlling the discharge of the contents of said container thru said drain.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

T. JEFFERSON NEWBOLD. 

